The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-10-27
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, b. c., Oct. Is

WASH1NGIONs u O.3 Oe6s Aos 1901
Heretofore your correspondent has
written of the organization of the Fed
eral employees into political sssocia-
tions, and also of the temporary COM
motion caused by the com munitation,
which was swiftly succee ded by SEN
timent of stern defiance. This feeling
has found further expression in the
formation of new political club called
"The National Democratic Associa-
tioD," with an influential membership
from every State and Territory of the
Union, which it is proposed to extend
to each Congressional District of the
United States. The Association is rep
resentative in character. and purposes
to make its influence and usefulness
felt by the dissemination of sound
Democratic doctrine and information
among the masses of the party every
where.
So then, it seems the ukase of the
Commissioner was blessing in dis
guise, whatever may have been its
trueipurpose, for it goes without say
ing that the NstionalDemocrstic Asso-
citation will be a powerful factor for
good in the next Presidential contest.
There are three vacancies in the Fif-
tieth Congress, one of them being of
national importance, as it involves the
political attitude of the State of Rhode
Island in the event of the failure of
the people to choose a President in
1888. AT the first election. held near
ly year ago, there was no election
neither candidate having a majority
Of the votes cast-though Judge Brad.
ley, the Democratic nominee, was in
the lead. A second election will be
held next month, and there is every
iDdicatson of Democratic victory, as
they have renominated Bradley, and
a plurality will elect next time. Re-
publican defeat would mean their ina
bility to win the Presidency in case
the choice should devolve upon the
House of Represeatatives-the Repub-
licans only lacking one of having q
majority of the States.
Among the. measures that will be
presented for the consideration of the
next Congress are seven new pension
bills, prepared.:by representatives of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and
embodying relief for all veterans who
actually saw service, or for their legal
representatives. / fear that President
Cleveland will again be the country's
only safeguard against a depleted
Treasury. But il occasion should re-
quire, it is evident that his courage
and sense of duty will be equal to the
| emergency.
Messrs. Angel and Putnam, of the
Fisheries Commission, were in the
city this week in conference with Sec-
rotary Bayard in regard to the respens-
ible trust committed to their charge.
| After an informal discussion, the
Commission adjourned to convene in
the Capital next month, when it is
expected they will meet the Canadian
| Commission.
A statement has been prepared at
the Postoffice Department, showing
the postal business transacted at thirty
fthe leading postofiices of the country
for the quarter ending on Sept. 30th
last, and although that period is usual
ly the dullest of the year, the receipts
of the offices in question show an in
crease of six and half per cent over the
same quarter of last year. This is q
sure and substantial tribute to the in
dustrial growth and progress of the
people of the United States.
The several bureaus of the Interior
Department are now submitting their
annual reports to Secretary Lamar,
embracing the work of the last fiscal
year and estimates of the necessary
year. The report of the Commissioner
Of Patents shows that the defalcation
of Bacon. the late financial clerk, is
$50, ,OO0-ons of our relics of Republi-
can regime. Bacon's bond was only
$40, 600. and the question is whether
his sureties are responsible for more
than that sum.
Great interest is felt at the Capital
over the habeas corpus trial of the
Virginia State officers, lately incarce-
rated for contempt of court by a United
States Judge, Bond-the wrios being
made returnable before the United
States SupremeCourt on Monday next.
The Columbia Democratic Club, q
: taken preliminary action toward hav-
ing the next National Democratic
, Convention meet at the Capitalize
first move being grand banquet to be
/ given the National Democratic Exec.
; utive Committee next winter.